Tracking asset computing devices

ABSTRACT

One or more processors send a signal from a first computing device to a second computing device through a hardwire connection. One or more processors determine a change between the signal as sent by the first computing device and the signal as received by the second computing device. The change is caused, at least in part, by the distance the signal travels. One or more processors determine a geo-location of the second computing device based, at least in part, on the change.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of assetmanagement, and more particularly to asset device tracking.

Asset management, broadly defined, refers to any system that monitorsand maintains things of value to an entity or group. Asset management isa systematic process of deploying, operating, maintaining, upgrading,and disposing of assets cost-effectively. Enterprise asset management(EAM) is the business processes and enabling information systems thatsupport management of an organization's assets. An EAM requires an assetregistry (inventory of assets and their attributes) combined with acomputerized maintenance management system (CMMS). All public assets areinterconnected and share proximity, and this connectivity is possiblethrough the use of geographic information system (GIS), which allows forasset device tracking.

Organizations interested in tracking thousands or perhaps even millionsof asset devices require economical and accurate ways of doing so. Thus,there is a continuing need for better methods to track such devices,especially if existing infrastructure can be used.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system, andprogram product for tracking asset computing devices. One or moreprocessors send a signal from a first computing device to a secondcomputing device through a hardwire connection. One or more processorsdetermine a change between the signal as sent by the first computingdevice and the signal as received by the second computing device,wherein the change is caused, at least in part, by the distance thesignal travels. One or more processors determine a geo-location of thesecond computing device based, at least in part, on the change.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an asset computingdevice tracking environment, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates operational processes of asset computing devicetracking within the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates operational processes of an asset management programwithin the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a street map visualizing an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of components of the concentratorcomputing device executing an asset device control program, thecomputing device executing an asset management program, and the assetcomputing device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Currently, global positioning system (GPS) tracking is a popular way ofdetermining a device's geo-location. However, the cost of installinglarge numbers of GPS receivers on numerous asset devices can beprohibitive. One solution is to wirelessly transfer GPS data fromsurrounding GPS devices to a non-GPS device and determine the non-GPSdevice's geo-location via triangulation. However, wirelesslytransferring GPS data from a GPS device to a non-GPS device allows forthe introduction of significant errors in the transferred GPS data dueto the inaccuracies present in the original GPS data points. Forexample, non-military GPS receivers typically have an error range of10-15 meters. Determining the geo-location of a non-GPS device viatriangulation from several GPS tracking receivers compounds the errorranges from each individual receiver. Thus, there is a need for newmethods and infrastructure that will allow organizations to accuratelytrack potentially an immense number of asset devices economically.

Embodiments of the present invention recognize that devices without aGPS receiver are challenging to track. Embodiments of the presentinvention recognize that there is a prohibitive cost associated withincorporating GPS receivers into a huge number of asset devices in orderfor organizations to track them. Embodiments of the present inventionrecognize that wireless acquisition of geo-location data from computingdevices with GPS to non-GPS devices will compound inherent error alreadypresent in the GPS data. Embodiments of the present invention provide aneconomical method and infrastructure to track numerous non-GPS assetdevices.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe Figures.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an asset devicetracking environment, generally designated 100, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Asset device tracking environment100 includes asset computing device 135, wiring 115, concentratorcomputing device 112, and computing device 110 connected over network130. Asset computing device 135 includes enhanced power linecommunication (enhanced PLC) modem 141. Concentrator computing device112 includes asset device control program 142, power line communication(PLC) modem 143, analog signal data 145, and digital signal data 125.Computing device 110 includes asset management program 120, digitalsignal data 125, analog signal data digital copy 121, and map 127. Inembodiments, asset computing device 135, concentrator computing device112, and computing device 110 include logic and computer programmingthat, when executed, is configured to cause one or all of assetcomputing device 135, concentrator computing device 112, and computingdevice 110 to carry out at least some of the processes shown in FIGS.2-4 as described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, asset computing device 135 is a device that,when connected to concentrator computing device 112 through wiring 115,will convert an analog signal sent through wiring 115 from concentratorcomputing device 112 to digital signal data 125 using enhanced PLC 141.Digital signal data 125 is then sent back to concentrator computingdevice 112. In this embodiment, enhanced PLC 141 includes: (i) a linedriver that is connected directly to wiring 115; (ii) an analog frontend to receive an analog signal sent by concentrator computing device112; and (iii) a digital processing unit that converts the analog signalto digital signal data 125.

In an exemplary embodiment, wiring 115 is any hard wiring that willsupport the transfer of electromagnetic signals between asset computingdevice 135 and concentrator computing device 112 and allow bidirectionalcommunication between asset computing device 135 and concentratorcomputing device 112. In one embodiment, wiring 115 is composed of anelectrical conductor surrounded by a protective coating. For example,wiring 115 is a power cable or cord with a metal core such as coppersurrounded by a sheath. In another embodiment, wiring 115 is afiber-optic wiring assembly. In yet another embodiment, wiring 115includes a plurality of hardwire portals capable of connecting withmultiple asset computing devices 135.

In various embodiments of the present invention, concentrator computingdevice 112 is a receiver for signals from asset computing device 135through wiring 115 wherein the concentrator computing device 112geo-location is known. In one embodiment, the concentrator computingdevice 112 geo-location is determined by an attached GPS receiver. Inanother embodiment, the concentrator computing device 112 geo-locationis previously mapped and known from map 127 and no GPS receiver isnecessary. In various embodiments, concentrator computing device 112 isa receiver of signals from multiple asset computing devices 135 throughwiring 115. For example, concentrator computing device 112 is located ona smart pole, telephone pole, street light, or building and connected tomultiple asset devices through a grid.

In an exemplary embodiment, concentrator computing device 112 containsasset device control program 142, which broadcasts a signal to connectedasset computing devices 135 to put the asset computing devices 135 in alocalization mode. Analog signal data 145 is sent via PLC 143 throughwiring 115 and digital signal data 125 is received in return. Digitalsignal data 125 is then used to calculate the geo-location of assetcomputing device 135. In an exemplary embodiment, concentrator computingdevice is a low voltage concentrator as found in power grid distributionnetwork sub-stations.

In some embodiments of the present invention, asset computing device 135and concentrator computing device 112 include at least some internal andexternal hardware components, as depicted and described in furtherdetail with respect to FIG. 5.

In various embodiments of the present invention, computing device 110 isa computing device that can be a standalone device, server, laptopcomputer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), ordesktop computer. In another embodiment, computing device 110 representsa computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to actas a single pool of seamless resources. In general, computing device 110can be any computing device or a combination of devices with access toasset management program 120, digital signal data 125, analog signaldata digital copy 121, and map 127 and is capable of executing assetmanagement program 120. Computing device 110 may include internal andexternal hardware components, as depicted and described in furtherdetail with respect to FIG. 5.

In this exemplary embodiment, asset management program 120, digitalsignal data 125, analog signal data digital copy 121, and map 127 arestored on computing device 110. However, in other embodiments, assetmanagement program 120, digital signal data 125, analog signal data 145,and map 127 may be stored externally and accessed through acommunication network, such as network 130. Network 130 can be, forexample, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such asthe Internet, or a combination of the two, and may include wired,wireless, fiber optic or any other connection known in the art. Ingeneral, network 130 can be any combination of connections and protocolsthat will support communications between computing device 110, assetmanagement program 120, digital signal data 125, analog signal data 145,and map 127 in accordance with a desired embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 depicts operational processes, 200, for asset device trackingwithin the environment of FIG. 1 using asset device control program 142and asset management program 120, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. In step 205, asset computing device135 creates a connection with wiring 115 using firmware present inenhanced PLC 141. In an exemplary embodiment, wiring 115 includes aplurality of hardwire portals of individually distinct distances fromconcentrator computing device 112. Map 127 contains the geo-location ofconcentrator computing device 112 as well as the geo-location of all ofthe hardwire portals included in wiring 115. In step 210, concentratorcomputing device 112 sends a signal to asset computing device 135commanding asset computing device 135 to identify itself. In step 215,asset device control program 142 of concentrator computing device 112detects an identifier, such as a serial number, sent from assetcomputing device 135 in response to the signal and stores it in itsmemory (e.g., as part of data included in map 127). In step 220,concentrator computing device 112 sets the identified asset computingdevice 135 into localization mode by executing programming that isconfigured to do so, whereby asset computing device 135 is prepared toexecute steps 225 and 230. In step 225, concentrator computing device112 sends analog signal data 145 to asset computing device 135. In step230, asset computing device 135 uses enhanced PLC modem 141 to convertthe received analog signal from concentrator computing device 112 intodigital signal data 125 and sends digital signal data 125 back toconcentrator computing device 112. In step 235, asset computing device135 ceases to be in localization mode and returns its state of activitythat existed prior to step 220. In step 240, concentrator computingdevice 112 sends digital signal data 125 to computing device 110 to beused by asset management program 120 for comparison to a digital copy ofconcentrator computing device 112 analog signal data 145 that isunaffected by transmission (analog signal data digital copy 121).

In this exemplary embodiment, the analog signal data 145 is affected bytraveling through wiring 115 in a way that indicates the distance analogsignal data 145 has traveled. This effect is captured in digital signaldata 125. In one embodiment, the signal propagation delay is the effectthat allows the distance traveled by analog signal data 145 to becalculated as part of step 215. In another embodiment, the analog signaldata 145 strength is attenuated as a function of distance traveled tobecome digital signal data 125 and the attenuation effect is captured.

In another embodiment, asset management program 120 applies time domainreflectometry (TDR) or time domain transmissometry (TDT) simulationsbased on wiring 115 known parameters that are stored in the assetmanagement software to calculate the distance traveled by analog signaldata 145. TDR is a measurement technique used to determine thecharacteristics of electrical lines by observing reflected waveforms.TDT is an analogous technique that measures the transmitted (rather thanreflected) impulse. Together, they provide a powerful means of analyzingelectrical or optical transmission media such as coaxial cables andoptical fibers. In this exemplary embodiment, the distance traveledbecomes, in essence, a fingerprint of the hardwire portal of wiring 115that is being used by asset computing device 135 as no two hardwireportals included in wiring 115 are the exact same distance away fromconcentrator computing device 112.

FIG. 3 illustrates operational processes, 300, of asset managementprogram 120 within the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In step 305, assetmanagement program 120 determines how analog signal data 145 wasaffected by traveling through wiring 115 by comparison of digital signaldata 125 with analog signal data digital copy 121. Analog signal datadigital copy 121 is the digitized form of analog signal data 125 that isunmodulated by transmission effects. In one embodiment, the differencebetween analog signal data digital copy 121 and digital signal data 125is due to the propagation delay of analog signal data 145 when travelingthrough wiring 115. In another embodiment, the difference between analogsignal data digital copy 121 and digital signal data 125 is from loss ofanalog signal data 125 strength while traveling through wiring 115 dueto signal attenuation.

For step 310, asset management program 120 computes the distance ofasset computing device 135 from concentrator computing device 112 basedon comparison of digital signal data 125 and analog signal data digitalcopy 121. In one embodiment, asset management program 120 applies TDR orTDT simulations incorporating wiring 115 line parameters as well asenvironmental parameters (like operating temperature). Asset managementprogram 120 uses such simulations to generate estimates of the distancetraveled by analog signal data 145.

In another embodiment, asset management program 120 uses the observedpropagation delay to estimate the distance analog signal data 145traveled. An electromagnetic signal's propagation delay is the length oftime it takes for the signal to travel to its destination. This lengthof time depends on the material through which the signal travels andthat material's permittivity. Permittivity is a material property thatexpresses the force between two point charges in the material. Relativepermittivity (ε_(r)(ω)) is the factor by which the electric fieldbetween the charges is decreased or increased relative to vacuum and isdefined by the following equation:

$\begin{matrix}{{ɛ_{r}(\omega)} = \frac{ɛ(\omega)}{ɛ_{0}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

Where ε(ω) is the complex frequency-dependent absolute permittivity ofthe material and ε_(o) is the vacuum permittivity.

Determination of the relative permittivity for a wide range offrequencies allows the determination of velocity factors (VF) for amaterial:

$\begin{matrix}{{VF} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{ɛ_{r}(\omega)}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

Probing the material with a signal at a given frequency will produce apropagation delay, which is represented by a phase difference due to thefact that the material is not polarized instantaneously when subjectedto the signal electromagnetic field. Determination of the velocityfactor and propagation delay at a given frequency provides the distancethe signal traveled (FIG. 3, step 310):

distance=c×VF×propagation delay  (3)

Where cis the speed of light in a vacuum. Determining propagation delaysfor a wide range of frequencies improves the accuracy of the estimate.The propagation delay will vary depending on the wiring 115 embodiment.For example, copper-based wiring will have a propagation delayreflecting the speed that electrons travel through copper. Otherexamples include glass and plastic optical fiber, which will havepropagation delays reflecting the speed that light travels through glassand plastic polymers, respectively.

In another exemplary embodiment, asset management program 120 usesattenuation of the analog signal data 145 to determine the distancetraveled by analog signal data 145. Attenuation is a general term thatrefers to any reduction in the strength of a signal. Sometimes calledloss, attenuation is a natural consequence of signal transmission overdistances. The extent of attenuation is usually expressed in unitscalled decibels (dBs). If P_(o) is the signal power at the transmittingend (origin) of a communications circuit and Pd is the signal power atthe receiving end (destination), then P_(o)>P_(d). The power attenuationA_(p) in decibels is given by the formula:

A _(p)=10 log₁₀(P _(o) /P _(d))  (4)

In a different embodiment, attenuation is expressed in terms of voltage.If A_(v) is the voltage attenuation in decibels, V_(o) is the originsignal voltage, and V_(d) is the destination signal voltage, then:

A _(v)=20 log₁₀(V _(o) /V _(d))  (5)

In conventional and fiber optic cables, attenuation is specified interms of the number of, for example, decibels per foot, per meter, per1,000 feet, per kilometer, or per mile. Thus, in an embodiment of theoperational processes of FIG. 3, asset management program 120 determinessignal loss in dB of the analog signal data 145 after it travels fromconcentrator computing device 112 through wiring 115 (step 305), andthen divides the loss by the specified or determined attenuation ofwiring 115 for step 310.

Whether TDR/TDT simulations, propagation delay, attenuation, or someother distance determination method is used, step 315 determines thegeo-location of asset computing device 135 by comparing the distancecalculated in step 310 with the data on map 127. In this exemplaryembodiment, map 127 includes the geo-location of all of the wiring 115hardwire portals and the distance of the portals from concentratorcomputing device 112. As such, the distance calculated in step 310corresponds to a single wiring 115 hardwire portal and its geo-locationis therefore known.

FIG. 4 depicts a street map, 400, visualizing an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. In this embodiment, concentrator computingdevices 112 (represented by black diamonds 410) exchange data andcommands with asset computing devices 135 (represented by gray circles420). The geo-location of all the asset computing devices 135 andconcentrator computing devices 112 is known along with the wiring 115distances between the asset computing devices 135 and concentratorcomputing devices 112. No two wiring 115 distances are the same for anyasset computing device 135-concentrator computing device 112 pair withinthe asset computing device family of a given concentrator computingdevice 112. Concentrator computing devices 112 provide power to assetcomputing devices 135 and pass data obtained from these devices tocomputing device 110 and asset management program 120.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram, 500, of components of concentratorcomputing device 112 executing asset device control program 142,computing device 110 executing asset management program 120, and theasset computing device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. It should be appreciated that FIG. 5 providesonly an illustration of one implementation and does not imply anylimitations with regard to the environments in which differentembodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depictedenvironment may be made.

Computing device 110, concentrator computing device 112, and assetcomputing device 135 include communications fabric 502, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 504, memory 506, persistentstorage 508, communications unit 510, and input/output (I/O)interface(s) 512. Communications fabric 502 can be implemented with anyarchitecture designed for passing data and/or control informationbetween processors (such as microprocessors, communications and networkprocessors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any otherhardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric502 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 506 and persistent storage 508 are computer-readable storagemedia. In this embodiment, memory 506 includes random access memory(RAM) 514 and cache memory 516. In general, memory 506 can include anysuitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage media.

Digital signal data 125, analog signal data 145, asset device controlprogram 142, analog signal data digital copy 121, map 127, and assetmanagement program 120 are stored in persistent storage 508 forexecution and/or access by one or more of the respective computerprocessors 504 via one or more memories of memory 506. In thisembodiment, persistent storage 508 includes a magnetic hard disk drive.Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistentstorage 508 can include a solid state hard drive, a semiconductorstorage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM), flash memory, or any other computer-readable storagemedia that is capable of storing program instructions or digitalinformation.

The media used by persistent storage 508 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 508.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage508.

Communications unit 510, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices, including resources ofnetwork 130. In these examples, communications unit 510 includes one ormore network interface cards. Communications unit 510 may providecommunications through the use of either or both physical and wirelesscommunications links. Digital signal data 125, analog signal data 145,asset device control program 142, analog signal data digital copy 121,map 127, and asset management program 120 may be downloaded topersistent storage 508 through communications unit 510.

I/O interface(s) 512 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to concentrator computing device 112 andcomputing device 110. For example, I/O interface 512 may provide aconnection to external devices 518 such as a keyboard, keypad, a touchscreen, and/or some other suitable input device. External devices 518can also include portable computer-readable storage media such as, forexample, thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memorycards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the presentinvention, e.g., Digital signal data 125, analog signal data 145, assetdevice control program 142, analog signal data digital copy 121, map127, and asset management program 120, can be stored on such portablecomputer-readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistentstorage 508 via I/O interface(s) 512. I/O interface(s) 512 also connectto a display 520.

Display 520 provides a mechanism to display data to a user and may be,for example, a computer monitor, or a television screen.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

It is to be noted that the term(s) “Smalltalk” and the like may besubject to trademark rights in various jurisdictions throughout theworld and are used here only in reference to the products or servicesproperly denominated by the marks to the extent that such trademarkrights may exist.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A computer program product for tracking assetcomputing devices comprising: one or more computer-readable storagemedia and program instructions stored on the one or morecomputer-readable storage media, the program instructions comprising:program instructions to send a signal from a first computing device to asecond computing device through a hardwire connection; programinstructions to determine a change between the signal as sent by thefirst computing device and the signal as received by the secondcomputing device, the change being caused, at least in part, by adistance the signal traveled through the hardwire connection; andprogram instructions to determine a geo-location of the first computingdevice based, at least in part, on the change.
 9. The computer programproduct of claim 8, wherein the program instructions to determine achange between the signal as sent by the first computing device and thesignal as received by the second computing device, the change beingcaused, at least in part, by a distance the signal traveled furthercomprise: program instructions to determine a change between the signalas sent by the first computing device and the signal as received by thesecond computing device, the change being caused, at least in part, by apropagation delay in the signal.
 10. The computer program product ofclaim 8, wherein the program instructions to determine a change betweenthe signal as sent by the first computing device and the signal asreceived by the second computing device, the change being caused, atleast in part, by a distance the signal traveled further comprise:program instructions to determine a change between the signal as sent bythe first computing device and the signal as received by the secondcomputing device, the change being caused, at least in part, by anattenuation of the signal.
 11. The computer program product of claim 8further comprising: program instructions to apply one or both of timedomain reflectometry and time domain missometry simulations to thehardwire connection to estimate, at least in part, the distance thesignal traveled.
 12. The computer program product of claim 8, whereinthe program instructions to send a signal from a first computing deviceto a second computing device through a hardwire connection furthercomprise: program instructions to send an electronic signal from a firstcomputing device to a second computing device through a hardwireconnection.
 13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein theprogram instructions to send a signal from a first computing device to asecond computing device through a hardwire connection further comprise:program instructions to send a light signal from a first computingdevice to a second computing device through a hardwire connection. 14.The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the programinstructions to send a signal from a first computing device to a secondcomputing device through a hardwire connection further comprise: programinstructions to send a signal from a first computing device to a secondcomputing device through a hardwire connection, wherein the firstcomputing device is a low voltage concentrator.
 15. A computer systemfor tracking asset computing devices comprising: one or more computerprocessors; one or more computer readable storage medium; programinstructions stored on the computer-readable storage media for executionby at least one of the one or more processors, the program instructionscomprising: program instructions to send a signal from a first computingdevice to a second computing device through a hardwire connection;program instructions to determine a change between the signal as sent bythe first computing device and the signal as received by the secondcomputing device, the change being caused, at least in part, by adistance the signal traveled through the hardwire connection; andprogram instructions to determine a geo-location of the first computingdevice based, at least in part, on the change.
 16. The computer systemof claim 15, wherein the program instructions to determine a changebetween the signal as sent by the first computing device and the signalas received by the second computing device, the change being caused, atleast in part, by a distance the signal traveled further comprise:program instructions to determine a change between the signal as sent bythe first computing device and the signal as received by the secondcomputing device, the change being caused, at least in part, by apropagation delay in the signal.
 17. The computer system of claim 15,wherein the program instructions to determine a change between thesignal as sent by the first computing device and the signal as receivedby the second computing device, the change being caused, at least inpart, by a distance the signal traveled further comprise: programinstructions to determine a change between the signal as sent by thefirst computing device and the signal as received by the secondcomputing device, the change being caused, at least in part, by anattenuation of the signal.
 18. The computer system of claim 15 furthercomprising: program instructions to apply one or both of time domainreflectometry and time domain missometry simulations to the hardwireconnection to estimate, at least in part, the distance the signaltraveled.
 19. The computer system of claim 15, wherein the programinstructions to send a signal from a first computing device to a secondcomputing device through a hardwire connection further comprise: programinstructions to send an electronic signal from a first computing deviceto a second computing device through a hardwire connection.
 20. Thecomputer system of claim 15, wherein the program instructions to send asignal from a first computing device to a second computing devicethrough a hardwire connection further comprise: program instructions tosend a light signal from a first computing device to a second computingdevice through a hardwire connection.